Don't use Brake Cleaner on Transmission Pan?
- Thread starter BMW Dom
- Start date
Plastic ZF pan?
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2020
- Messages
- 2,413
I've done it plenty of times. There's no paint or anything to worry about dissolving, obviously just be sure it's completely dry before reinstalling.
This is a bit like headlines about legislation these days.
It says to not degrease with a cleaning agent. I can only suspect they're worried about residue from engine degreaser or 409 or whatever else someone might use as a cleaning agent. Diesel tends to be oily but is a common degreaser.
The "Don't Say Brake Cleaner" bill......
It says to not degrease with a cleaning agent. I can only suspect they're worried about residue from engine degreaser or 409 or whatever else someone might use as a cleaning agent. Diesel tends to be oily but is a common degreaser.
The "Don't Say Brake Cleaner" bill......
I clean it really well with Shop towels then spray it down with either brake parts cleaner and make sure its completely dry, along with using a new shop towels to see if it wipes clean or not. never ever had any issues.
If it's dry I don't see a problem.
It does bug me when someone sprays the flange of an open differential or cylinder head with the valve cover off. Brake cleaner is anti-oil and if you mix some in with some existing oil it's part of it now, and it's degraded. A little film of (whatever) isn't as bad, though we as people are bothered by it because it's "dirty."
It does bug me when someone sprays the flange of an open differential or cylinder head with the valve cover off. Brake cleaner is anti-oil and if you mix some in with some existing oil it's part of it now, and it's degraded. A little film of (whatever) isn't as bad, though we as people are bothered by it because it's "dirty."
I put this kind of stuff into much the same category as 99% of everything sold in America will cause cancer.... If you buy and use it in the state of California.... It says so right on the package.
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2020
- Messages
- 2,413
Can I just wipe it with a clean microfiber towel? I don't have compresses air
Best method imo. You shouldn't need any degreaser or solvents.
Perhaps BMW said this because they don't want risk containments getting introduced to the pan as you attempt to degrease it. Most people will use brake cleaner and then wipe it out with something. What something are they using? Is it clean? Will it remain intact? Better to just say "don't clean it". No harm can be done.
So everything can go into the parts cleaning tank at a transmission shop except the pan?
Is the referenced repair procedure for transmission overhaul?
I use a paint prep product and a paper towel. If it leaves a fender clean enough for paint, it will clean a transmission pan just fine. A can of brake cleaner splatters all over the place.
Lacquer thinner or denatured alcohol?
Probably generic instructions that also covers situations where the inside of the pan was painted.
